• PSA: Winter weather is again predicted for the mid-state today, with crews already out salting the roads. Be careful out there!
• Nashville hit a new record high for active COVID-19 cases at 5,389 according to the mayor’s office, nearly double the previous high set last January. The city remains at around 62 percent of residents fully vaccinated against the virus.
• Tennessee’s COVID-19 hospitalizations are rapidly rising as the omicron variant takes hold, though observers caution that many of the numbers are from “incidental” cases — where the patient tested positive after already being admitted with another reason, such as a car accident.
• Yes, it is possible to have both a flu and coronavirus infection at the same time, but we’re already tired of hearing the phrase “flurona.”
• Some local universities have already opted to either delay the start of the spring semester by one week, or to move the classes online.
• As expected, the Metro Council voted to end vehicle emissions testing in the county, effective February 4 to allow the Health Department to wind down the contract with the testing vendor. If your tags expire this month, you will likely still need to have the inspection done.
• The Council also voted to spend $6 million on updating the Tasers for the police force, but the money will come out of their already allocated budget rather than federal COVID funds. Opponents said they did not believe it was an appropriate use of the recovery money.
• Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has returned to the practice field, a little over nine weeks after he fractured his foot. The Titans are trying to earn a first-round bye next week when they travel to play the Houston Texans.
• The Nashville Predators held off a late surge by the Vegas Golden Knights to pick up a 3-2 win Tuesday on the road. The team continues their road trip against the Los Angeles Kings tonight and the Arizona Coyotes Saturday.
• One of the laws passed last legislative session requires hair stylists to take a free domestic violence course aimed at identifying cases and counseling victims on the resources available them. Current licensed stylists will have two years to complete the training.
• A Nashville Scene reporter and its parent company are suing Tennessee Governor Bill Lee over the state’s refusal to release a consulting firm’s report about the state’s handling of the pandemic. Lee’s administration hired the firm for $3 million in a no-bid contract.
• Your heating bill could be going up $10.40 on average if you use natural gas according Piedmont. The company says the new rates are based on market conditions and last winter’s usage.
• Yussef Harris, the owner of Alkebu-Lan Images, died this week, leaving behind a 35 year legacy of celebrating African culture in his North Nashville neighborhood. Harris was 66.
• Texas chain Whataburger opened its first restaurant in Tennessee this week in Hermitage after a decades-long absence, with customers in lines that backed up traffic for miles. Seven more locations should open by the end of the year in Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Lebanon, Madison, Mt. Juliet and Smyrna.
• Bartaco, an “upscale street taco” restaurant, will be opening its second location in Nashville in Five Points at a new development that was most recently a Family Dollar.

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